Amherst summer programming wraps up for 2017

The ‘A’ team summer programming is wrapped up for year, which ended with a successful 5th annual Blueberry Harvest Festival this past weekend!

Although summer is coming to an end, Fall will bring Amherst much more to celebrate as school and recreation clubs and programs start up. Students head back to school on Sept. 7 for another exciting year of academics, sports, arts, projects and more. Keep your eyes peeled for project play’s four finalists being announced Septe. 4. Several community members nominated the Amherst Lions Park to win $250,000 for recreational upgrades and once finalists are announced, voting for the winner begins! Although we are looking forward to another great fall in Amherst, we are sad to see our summer students leave as they head back to school. We really appreciate their energy, efforts, hard work and dedication over the past spring and summer and wish them all the best! With their help, Amherst was able to host and partner with several community partners to make many memorable events in Amherst a success. Highlights include Amherst’s first Pride Parade, Canada’s 150th Birthday Celebration, the Amherst Lions Park Dedication and Community Celebration, proclaiming Aug. 9 “Dwight Jones Day” in Amherst and the fifth annual Blueberry Harvest Festival. The ‘A’ team also hosted daily events on a weekly basis, all free and family-first for the community. Activities included family movie nights, TGIM events, yoga, park days, touring our local trails and many more! We would also like to recognize the community’s improved aesthetics this year thanks to our hard working recreation staff, horticulture team and team lead town horticulturist Chelsea Baird. The team has made the town thrive with life and even developed edible landscaping for the Amherst community this past summer! Other responsibilities included turf maintenance, mowing and trimming, weeding sidewalks, litter pick-up and painting, to name a few. Continue to stay up to date with the ‘A’ team’s landscaping and beautification efforts by following the Amherst Recreation Facebook page. The third and final off leash dog park public meeting is on Sept. 7 from 7 to 9 p.m. If you haven’t attended the other meetings but have input to share, we want to see you at the Community Credit Union Business Innovation Centre to discuss our preliminary findings and next steps. Mark the date on your calendar, everyone is encouraged to attend and share their input. On Sept. 23, show your philanthropic efforts by joining TD volunteers for TD Tree Day at the new Amherst Lions Park! Communities from all across Canada participate in TD Tree Days and our local event is from 9 a.m. to noon. You can also follow the action on Instagram and Twitter at #TDTreeDays and visit tdtreedays.com for more details. Learn what else is happening around the community by visiting amherst.ca for our free community events listing and following our Facebook page. If you have questions, community events and information to share, email amherstrecreation@amherst.ca or call 902-667-6500. Here is a taste of what’s coming up around Amherst: • Amherst Downtown Farmer's Market • Amherst Market & Full Breakfast • Parent & Tot Swim at the YMCA • Dick's Jamboree • Chair Fitness • Cheer Fun